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Dubai, UAE: The Middle East continues to be a red hot destination for the events and entertainment industry, as the region sees an increase in the number of major international entertainment events and big name shows being held here.

International interest grows as Saudi Arabian entertainment industry enters transformative change

The events and entertainment industry continues to gallop along at an incredible pace, with recent figures indicating that it had grown by a sizzling 75 percent between 2012 and 2016.

And with the region continuing to feature as an important stop on the annual calendar of leading international performers, demand for top of the rung audio and visual equipment will continue to surge.

As the third edition of Prolight + Sound Middle East readies for launch in September 2018, leading global audio visual and lighting technology brands are making a beeline for the show’s three day run in Dubai, with the view of engaging with key decision makers from this crucial region.

Apart from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City, Doha and Manama, which have been firmly on the international events and entertainment map for some time now, it is the coming upsurge in the Saudi Arabian market that has the international big leaguers licking their lips in anticipation.

With the Kingdom set to invest US$64 billion into creating a nascent entertainment industry as it implements the strategic initiatives of Vision 2030, the previously staid entertainment scene in the largest country in the GCC is about to undergo a metamorphosis.

According to reports, construction is already underway on an opera house in the capital Riyadh and the country is set to host as many as 5,000 entertainment events this year. Performers will reportedly include US pop band Maroon 5 and the world’s largest theatrical producer Cirque du Soleil.

Prolight + Sound Middle East’s organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East expect this 2018 edition to be considerably bigger and brighter than the previous two editions. More than 40 exhibitors from 10 countries representing 100-plus brands are expected to line up when the show opens doors in late September.

“Prolight + Sound Middle East has attracted an enormous response from the events and entertainment technology community in the region because it fills a perceived need in the market for an event that is reflective of the enormous developmental energy that is currently driving the sector in the region,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“With the Saudi market set to transform itself thanks to the implementation of a new strategic doctrine, the bubbling events and entertainment industry in the region is in for exciting times. Stakeholders and industry professionals will also be able to gain key insights into what to expect in the future and new industrial trends at the interactive discussions being hosted alongside the event,” Pauwels added.

Among those participating will include exhibitors from Canada (Stageline), Netherlands (ADJ Supply), France (Stagemaster), and the USA (Gator Cases). Meanwhile, hoping to build on past successful outings are some of the leading names such as Monacor International (Germany), Robe (Czech Republic), FBT Electronica (Italy), and Venuetech (UAE).

Roberto Mataloni, Export Manager for FBT Electronica from Italy said: “As we’re developing more business in the installation and contractor markets, we feel it’s important to be present in Dubai to meet the ever growing demand of professional products and solutions for the most various applications.

“FBT has a vast catalogue and we’re available to give proper suggestions and technical information to gain more confidence and create new relationships. Being at Prolight + Sound Middle East 2018 will allow us to track and spot the demand from the region closer, with an eye also to the eastern side of Africa as well the remote areas of Central Asian territory.

“Dubai has become a catalyst for our industry so it’s exciting to be here again and see these developments growing further,” added Mataloni.

Manufacturer of loudspeaker drivers, GP Acoustics (Celestion) from the UK will be present at Prolight + Sound Middle East 2018 with their latest wideband compression driver. Spokesperson John Paice said: “Celestion is the largest supplier of branded compression drivers to the Pro Audio market.

We supply more than 1,000 every day to the pro Audio industry. Our customers appreciate the consistency and reliability of our HF products. The company is also an industry leader in the supply of coaxial PA speakers.

“This will be the first time Celestion will showcase the Axi2050 wideband compression driver in the region. This is a truly ground-breaking product, enabling the reproduction of the audio signal from 300Hz, to 20kHz, without the requirement for a mid-band crossover,” Paice said.

Also returning this year, Robe Middle East is betting on their range of premium moving lights and LED fixtures on further catching the eye of keen trade buyers. General Manager, Elie Battah said: “Prolight + Sound Middle East is the only exhibition for our industry in the Middle East, and as such is a good platform for us to meet high quality visitors – both existing customers and potential new ones – all under one roof.

“Our new products this year will include the RoboSpot system – a series of innovative products to enhance the art of remote follow spotting; the Tarrantula which is an incredible new LED wash beam fixture; the award-winning and hugely popular MegaPointe, and the new LEDBeam 150.”

Back again this year at Prolight + Sound Midlde East is the Events Technology and Entertainment Development Forum, which will once again feature leading events and entertainment sector thought leaders sharing their inputs and discussing trends and strategies in the industry.

Workshops and interactive discussions on developing world-class events, iconic attractions and AV technology driven venues and installations are bound to grab the delegates’ interest.

In keeping with its time-honored concept of respecting its heritage and traditions while creating path-breaking innovations in design and styling, SAINT HONORE now presents the SH Connect strap, by which wearers of the brand's iconic and most classical watches can remain connected to their smartphones and access them right from their wrists.

Sh connect strap from Saint Honore presents the digital world on your wrist

With this latest cutting-edge innovation, SAINT HONORE continues to blaze an inventive trail in the horological world, making the community of fine watch lovers wake up and take notice of the novel capabilities contained in the SH Connect connected strap.

Now you can wear a refined traditional watch while remaining connected to your smartphone via a strap featuring a tactile OLED screen and a Bluetooth connection... All at an affordable price. The strap comes with a discreet screen located just below the dial, the connected strap which seamlessly pairs with the user's smartphone, enables the user to receive call and message notifications in real time, and also to locate the telephone or snap a quick photo.

The SH Connect strap is also a fitness companion extraordinaire, with various coaching features, and continual monitoring of various statistics: the number of steps, calories burned, inactivity and sleep... The SH Connect (iOS/Android) application makes it possible to synchronize this information.

SAINT HONORE shows its modern side by integrating new technologies into its traditional watches, and this discreet technology adapts to any timepiece.

The new concept is being presented on three of the brand's leading models: the Orsay quartz, the Lutécia quartz chronograph and the famous self-winding Tour Eiffel. The SH Connect strap can also adapt to other dials.

Technical details

ORSAY, quartz movement

• Stainless steel case, 42 mm

• Sapphire coating glass

• Brushed charcoal dial

• Date at 6h

• Quartz movement

• Water resistant to 50 m

• SH Connect strap, black or brown leather, with an OLED touchscreen – Size: 20 mm, on simple buckle

• Made in France

LUTECIA, quartz chronograph movement

• Stainless steel case, 42 mm

• Sapphire coating glass

• Brushed charcoal dial

• Date at 4h

• Quartz chronograph movement, 3 counters: 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours

• Water resistant to 50 m

• SH Connect strap, black or brown leather, with an OLED touchscreen – Size: 22 mm, on simple buckle

• Swiss made

Luxury Swiss watchmaker, RAYMOND WEIL, is proud to unveil a new collaboration in its Music Icons series, the freelancer AC/DC Limited Edition, paying tribute to legendary Rock and Roll Hall of famers AC/DC. This exclusive watch incorporates the in-house developed Calibre RW1212 movement, allowing onlookers to view the rocking “Alternating Current/Direct Current” balance within the timepiece.

Raymond weil freelancer acdc limited edition

RAYMOND WEIL, unveils its latest edition to its ever-expanding collection of music influenced timepieces, featuring subtle design cues inspired by the legendary Rock band, AC/DC that have been translated into a horology masterpiece using decades of watchmaking know-how.

Measuring 42 mm in diameter, the freelancer AC/DC Limited Edition exudes a notable air of masculinity. Lined with luminescent treatment, slender hour and minute hands articulate the time with lucid dialogue. To reinforce the rock and roll attitude of the timepiece, the hours are marked with studded indexes. The black dial features a textured pattern recalling the AC/DC high voltage bolt graphics. It sits adjacent to the iconic AC/DC typography placed at 12 o’clock. The powerful rock credentials are reaffirmed through the black leather strap, adorned with the AC/DC logo.

Beyond its aesthetic prowess, the 3,000 piece and numbered freelancer AC/DC Limited Edition is endowed with the in-house, self-winding movement, the Calibre RW1212. It offers a stage opening on the lower part of the dial allowing onlookers to view the rocking “Alternating Current/Direct Current”1 balance.

Each of the freelancer AC/DC Limited Edition will be presented with a specially designed watch case and a corresponding certificate of authenticity.

“There is very little doubt that AC/DC is and continues to be one of the most iconic rock bands of all time and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with them. As AC/DC perfectly quoted “let there be light, sound, drums and guitar - let there be rock”” declares Elie Bernheim, CEO RAYMOND WEIL.

“The collaboration with RAYMOND WEIL marks a fantastic opportunity for AC/DC to join the other great music artists such as The Beatles, David Bowie and Frank Sinatra, who have already collaborated with the luxury Swiss watchmaker. AC/DC is delighted to be part of RAYMOND WEIL’s music Icons series. It was essential that the design of the watch represent the tireless energy of the band. The balance between being aesthetically pleasing and mechanically crafted was key in the design process” says Norman Perry,

president and founder of Perryscope Productions who along with Epic Rights are AC/DC’s worldwide licensing representatives.

RAYMOND WEIL continues to use music as its key inspiration for both product design and marketing of the Brand worldwide. It carefully selects its music icon partners based on very specific touch points. The honesty and trueness of the design process and intricate detailing placed within each timepiece is what sets the music icons series apart.

Harrods is a globally renowned shopping destination with a long-standing history of collaborating with legendary luxury brands – therefore resulting in a natural location for Roger Dubuis to be showcased. Harrods is also home to Roger Dubuis’ only UK boutique, where visitors can experience the craftsmanship and design of Roger Dubuis year round.

Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse roar in Harrods London

Guests visiting the innovative pop-up will experience a 360 degree design concept inspired by the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Skeleton and the motorsport universe; visitors will have the chance to discover the raging Excalibur Aventador S models, developed in collaboration with Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Offering yet another stunning example of highly complicated watchmaking, the Excalibur Aventador S is crafted from the same C-SMC carbon as that used on Lamborghini’s cars, and driven by a powerful ‘engine’ resembling Lamborghini’s Aventador. The display will include the recently launched Excalibur Aventador S Blue and Excalibur Aventador S Pink Gold, the newest additions to the stunning line up.

Alongside the watches, visitors can for the first time ever admire the Lamborghini Huracán Evo in the United Kingdom, part of the legendary Lamborghini Squadra Corse racing fleet, famous for its extreme performances.

In addition, the Roger Dubuis universe will feature a Roger Dubuis lounge, a unique 3D Sound Experience where guests can immerse into the fast paced world of Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse using racing design codes, and a Holographic Tower to bring the Roger Dubuis world to life.

Announced in autumn 2017, the partnership is based on the brands’ shared values of a radical R&D vision, innovative materials, disruptive designs and superlative technical engineering – all evolving around exclusive and very limited productions. Following the philosophy of “visionary engineers combined with incredible watchmakers”, Roger Dubuis has launched a selection of limited edition watches as well as announcing the sponsorship of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

Independent Swiss watch company Oris is proud to announce the opening of the stylish new Oris Boutique, Zurich, an experiential space that showcases the very best of Oris’s independent culture.

The innovative, lively space on Zurich’s fashionable Rennweg is set over two floors, covering 110m2. The ground floor will be devoted to retail and will offer visitors an immersive Oris experience, transporting them to the beautiful Waldenburg Valley and the Swiss town of Hölstein, where Oris has been making watches since 1904. The first floor will be an area especially reserved for events hosted by Oris for VIP customers and press.

The new boutique also includes the Oris Bar and Oris Lounge concepts, where customers will be invited to relax, enjoy a freshly roasted cup of coffee, or an Oris Beer or Oris Gin, and to look at the Oris collection at their leisure in calm, stylish surroundings away from the busy street outside.

Oris CEO Rolf Studer said: ‘Zurich is one of the world’s most design-conscious cities and the perfect place for Oris to showcase its contemporary watch designs. We’ve created a dynamic space for customers to explore everything that Oris stands for – independent watchmaking and independent thinking. We’re confident it will help our customers go their own way.’

The in-store experience will take all comers through Oris’s rich watchmaking heritage and introduce them to the latest Oris designs, including the bronze-cased Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition and the iconic Big Crown Pointer Date pilot’s watch, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Oris is also pushing forward the Oris Open Displays concept. This involves displaying watches on a stylish workbench where customers can pick them up and try them on, delivering an interactive, memorable customer experience. In addition, highly trained assistants with a thorough knowledge of the Oris story and product range will be on hand to educate, entertain and serve visitors, whether they know Oris’s 114-year-old story inside out, or are coming to it for the very first time.

The Oris Boutique in Zurich will host an opening event on Friday, June 22. On Saturday June 23, the boutique will host an event in partnership with Style Ride (www.styleride.ch). Oris is the main partner of the urban bicycle tour, which takes place in Zurich on the same day. They will host the ‘Oris x Style Ride Event’, including music from DJ Evangelos. The boutique opening will be supported by a publicity campaign around the city.

Mr Studer continued: ‘This is an exciting step in the development of the Oris Boutique strategy and a moment to celebrate for us. Following the success of the Maison Oris boutique, Basel and the Oris Pop-Up, London, this summer, we are now giving consumers the opportunity to dive into the Oris story with both feet, and to discover what it means to ‘Go Your Own Way’. The independent spirit of the company has always been to create beautifully designed, high-quality, accessible watches that make sense in the real world – the new boutique makes the Oris story and our watches more accessible and more real than ever before. We look forward to welcoming Oris customers from all over the world into this new boutique.’

Prolight + Sound Middle 2018 set to dazzle as events and entertainment sector continues to surge

The events and entertainment industry continues to gallop along at an incredible pace, with recent figures indicating that it had grown by a sizzling 75 percent between 2012 and 2016.

“Dubai has become a catalyst for our industry so it’s exciting to be here again and see these developments growing further,” added Mataloni.

Workshops and interactive discussions on developing world-class events, iconic attractions and AV technology driven venues and installations are bound to grab the delegates’ interest.

Oris introduces an inventive watch for pilots of the Swiss Air Force’s Lufttransport Staffel 7

Oris has created numerous specialist watches in its long history, but few have been designed with such a specific purpose as the independent company’s latest pilot’s watch. The Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition has been created for pilots of the Swiss Air Force’s Lufttransport Staffel 7, which transports paratroopers to a drop zone. The watch marks only the second time the Swiss Air Force has worked with a Swiss watch company.

Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition

The stories of Oris and aviation are closely linked. Oris was founded in 1904 at the dawn of aviation and made its first pilot’s pocket watch in the early 1910s. That was followed by the company’s first pilot’s wristwatch in 1917, a watch that featured an ingenious mechanism that meant the watch could only be adjusted when a button was pressed at 2 o’clock. The same spirit of invention inspired the Oris Big Crown which debuted in 1938. Its oversized crown meant gloved airmen could adjust their watches quickly and easily. Today, Oris’s pilot’s watch collection is full of innovative watches that are trusted by pilots all over the world.

The Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition is the latest chapter in Oris’s pilot’s watch story. It is designed for pilots of the Swiss Air Force’s Lufttransport Staffel 7 whose task is to transport paratroopers to a designated drop zone in the Pilatus PC-6 aircraft. The timings of these missions are critical. Pilots have 20 minutes from take-off to the moment when the paratroopers jump, and have to synchronise with other planes on the same missions. So they make detailed plans in which every second is critical.

Timing jumps isn’t the only challenge the Lufttransport Staffel 7’s pilots face. In remote territories where there are no recognised landing areas the pilots need to find makeshift airfields of at least 250 metres in length to land and take off safely.

The Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition meets these two challenges.

Timing for paradropping missions

At take-off the pilot adjusts the bi-directional rotating black ceramic bezel so that the ‘Y’ position on its timer scale is aligned with the minute hand. The pilot now has 20 minutes to reach the drop area

When the minute hand aligns with the yellow marker at 17 minutes the pilot informs the paratroopers to prepare to jump

A red marker at 19 minutes indicates to the pilot that he can give clearance to open the aircraft door

At 20 minutes a parachute icon indicates that it is time for the paratroopers to jump

Measuring landing areas

The watch has a chronograph function with a green central seconds hand. As a pilot approaches a potential landing area, he starts the chronograph

The pilot flies over the airfield at exactly 100 knots, once in both directions

If the time it takes to cover the airfield at that speed is measured at 10 seconds or more, the pilot knows the airfield is at least 250 metres long and that it is therefore safe to land

The 10-second mark is indicated by a green marker and the markings 100 KIAS (Knots – Indicated Air Speed)

The Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition has a number of other useful features. Its lightweight titanium case has a stealthy, hard-wearing matt black DLC (diamond-like carbon) finish that offsets cockpit glare; its high-contrast black dial has large Arabic numerals printed in Super-LumiNova® and hands also filled with Super-LumiNova® for maximum legibility; and its rugged olive textile strap is equipped with Oris’s patented clasp, inspired by passenger airline safety buckles.

The Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition will be worn by Lufttransport Staffel 7 pilots and is limited to 250 pieces. In keeping with Oris’s values, it is a practical, high-functioning watch made according to the principles of ‘form follows function’. In short, it is a watch that makes sense.

Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition

Ref. No. 01 774 7661 7734 TS, Ø 44.00 mm

Limited to 250 pieces

Automatic movement Oris Cal. 774, based on Sellita SW 500, with chronograph function, date between 4 and 5 o’clock

Multi-piece titanium case, screw-in stainless steel crown and pushers, all with black DLC coating. Water-resistant to 10 bar/100 m

Bi-directional rotating black ceramic bezel with rubber coated outside edge for better grip, and with special timer scale adapted to the operations schedule of the Swiss Air Force’s LT Staffel 7

Sapphire crystal domed on both sides with anti-reflective coating inside

Black DLC-coated titanium case back engraved with the LT Staffel 7 logo and limited edition number

Two-piece matt black dial with applied Arabic numerals printed with Super-LumiNova®. Dial ring with landing field measuring scale directly assembled to the case

Black/White hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®. Green central stop seconds hand, black/white counter and small seconds hands

Olive textile strap with Oris-patented stainless steel buckle black DLC coated for stageless length adjustment

Special presentation box

International interest grows as Saudi Arabian entertainment industry enters transformative change

Sh connect strap from Saint Honore presents the digital world on your wrist

Raymond weil freelancer acdc limited edition

Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse roar in Harrods London

Oris opens boutique in Zurich

Prolight + Sound Middle 2018 set to dazzle as events and entertainment sector continues to surge

Oris Paradropper LT Staffel 7 Limited Edition

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